Value, as used here, is simply the price of the gun/capacity. This is a measure of the initial cost per round for the firearm.
Of course, there is more to value of a firearm than this simple ratio but it does provide a starting point to compare relative
values and value to a firearm. Certainly, longevity, reliability, number of rounds fired before major repairs are needed as well as
aesthetic value, pride of ownership and comfort would come into play in determining value. But the data is not readily available
on these variables, so we shall do with what we have and see where this simple ratio takes us.
The average cost per round for these 8 pistols is $50.34. If we use this figure we can see that the average pistol, by this measure
is a better buy than your average revolver. If the revolver were priced on a similar level as these pistols the average 5 shot revolver
would cost $251.70. Good luck finding a new revolver at that price.
The four most expensive guns average $60.83 per round. Applying the same logic and cost per initial round would price the more
expensive revolvers at $304.15.
The four least expensive pistols based on initial price and capacity average $39.85 per round.
The four least expensive guns average out to $379.50 while the four most expensive pistols average $563 (48% more than the less expensive pistols).
The PT111 Millennium Generation 2 stands out as an attractive buy that might be able to do double duty as a concealed carry
and a home defense gun. It should be noted, and I was surprised to see, that the gun is wider than the Glock – which has
a well deserved reputation as being chunky.
One use of this table is to select a variable, for example width and find those guns that are less than an inch thick. That results in
a comparison of four guns - Shield, LC9, 709 and the Kahr. Three of the four guns are pretty much on the same value level, as used here.
The Kahr is significantly more expensive so the question is...is the cost difference made up in the other characteristics of the firearm?
As I see it the value of the table is related to the comparisons that can be made and additional questions raised in selecting
a firearm.
Studying this table has me rethinking some ideas I had about which firearm I wanted to buy. Some of the intangibles mentioned in
reviews on youtube, in forums and articles is making some decisions easier and other considerations needing to be evaluated on a
subjective leve have made me ask additional questions. In any case, for me this has been a useful exercise.